It seems that Ford have canned plans for the ‘hot’ replacement for the Escort RS Cosworth. The 4 wheel drive, Rally Inspired Ford Focus RS has apparently been canned due to concerns over CO2 emissions.

The prototype ‘mule’ cars have been running for a while now, in fact since the MK1 Focus, but it was believed that the MkII Focus would be the car to carry the fabled RS moniker.

People were looking forward to the 300Bhp 4 wheel drive monster, or it seems, according to Ford that they weren’t.

The Ford spokesman said that "It’s worth bearing in mind that it’s not the green issue which is driving this decision - cars have to be profitable. While Britain is the home of RS, there’s not enough interest across other markets for us to earn the kind of money that’s going to give the vehicle a green light" So not a CO2 problem, rather a problem that the US and European Ford buyers wont fork out for a properly fast Ford.

There is still hope, apparently if WRC goes well, and the MKIII Focus is liked, that may just get the RS treatment (2010), but for now the hotest Ford on the block is still the ST.